What are archival materials?

Archival materials are materials created or received by a person, family, organization, or business, in the conduct of their affairs. They serve as evidence of past actions and events.

Archival materials record information about past activities and events. They act as memory aids that
allow us to recall and relive these activities and events, or to re-communicate
information about them at some point in the future.

Archival materials are preserved as evidence of the functions and responsibilities of their creator or
because of their enduring value.

How do I find information about archival collections?

Archives usually create "finding aids," which are standardized descriptions of their collections. The purpose of the finding aid is to communicate to researchers:

What records an archives has acquired

Who created the records and in what context

The nature and scope of the material in a collection

Whether access and/or use restrictions have been placed on a collection

This information should enable researchers to determine whether particular holdings are relevant to their research and thus warrant a visit to the archives to consult the original records in person. Like records in a library catalogue, archival finding aids do not typically include copies of the actual original records themselves. The vast majority of archival material must be consulted onsite.